Is your office using the best practices to help the environment?
Even though we live in a Digital Age, it’s still impossible to run an office without the use of printing equipment. Most document solutions require the use of paper, even with the amount of digital technology we have at our disposal. However, it is possible to reduce the amount of paper you use, and there are many multifunction printer options that are designed to save energy.
If you don’t have the option to buy a new multifunction printer or other office equipment, you can always use some of these other tricks to help make your document solutions more eco-friendly and reduce your company’s carbon footprint.
Make a Hard Copy
For many documents, businesses have the choice to use a hard copy, printed on paper, or a digital backup copy. This could be stored on a USB, in the cloud, or via your company’s content management system.
Using a multifunctional printer makes it easy to store your documents as a backup. As a standard now, almost every printer and scanner comes with this function. Even most office photocopier machines can connect to the Internet.
Check Your Ink
Disposing of ink cartridges can have negative effects on the environment if it isn’t done properly. The empty cartridges can take about 500 years to decompose in a landfill- and some parts can last up to 1,000 years. Additionally, some types of printer ink can produce toxic chemicals that harm the world around them.
Ask at your local printing supply store or your automated office equipment supplier. Most manufacturers have systems implemented where you can dispose of your cartridges safely, and most of the time the cartridges are reused instead of getting disposed of completely.
Save on Energy
Do you turn your devices off when they aren’t in use? How about switching the lights off when you leave the photocopy room? These little things can help reduce the amount of energy you use at the office.
When it comes to document solutions, there are many small things you can do that make these kinds of differences that can really add up- not only for the environment, but for your electric bill as well.
Use Recycled Paper
When considering what type of paper to buy for your multifunction printer, make the switch to recycled paper. This can make a big difference when it comes to reducing pollution, as well as preserving resources and ecosystems.
In addition to using recycled paper, you could also try to use less paper in general. Cutting back on the paper you use in your office not only helps the environment, but it also helps you save money on printing costs. For example, try double-sided printing or only printing the pages you need instead of the whole document.
Most multifunction printer options these days are able to help your environmental impact while still producing the reliable printing services you need. Talk to an office automation company today to figure out what’s right for you.
